Lok Sabha on Thursday passed National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in the ongoing Parliament session. It aims at making the National Trust an efficient and smooth-running body so that the persons with disability can live independently. It also promotes the measures for their protection in case of death of their parents.
The Bill works on enabling procedures for efficient appointment of their guardians and trustees. It further makes efforts to facilitate equal opportunities for them in society.
The Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha last week.
It seeks to amend the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
The bill regulates the tenure of the board of National Trust. The chairperson and members of the Board of the National Trust can hold office for a term of three years from the date of their appointment or until their successors are appointed, whichever is longer.
It adds that the central government has to initiate the process for appointment of the Chairperson or any Board member, at least six months prior to the expiry of their tenure.
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. The disorders are characterized by challenges faced in speech and non-verbal communication, social skills and behavior. It is often developed as a result of several genetic and environmental factors.
Studies have revealed that about one in 68 people is diagnosed with ASD in India. More than 1.8 crore people in India are suffering from autism.